Convertible divan ensemble



June 11, 1963 F wlLsoN 3,093,410

CONVERTIBLE nIvAN ENSEMBLE Flled July 29 1959 United States Patent O 3,093,410 CNVERTIBLE DIVAN ENSEMBLE Forest Wilson, @ak Park, Ill., assigner to The Englander Company, lne., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Filed .iuly 29, 1959, Ser. No. 830,309 3 Claims. (Cl. 297-119) This invention relates generally to convertible divans and more particularly to a convertible divan ensemble.

Convertible sofas and couches of numerous styles and constructions are well known; but because of certain inherent structural limitations, divans have not heretofore een commonly presented in convertible form. Ordinarily, divans are arranged to seat only two people; and it is most apparent that adequate seating surface for two persons provides grossly inadequate sleeping surface for one.

Accordingly, an important object of the present invention is to provide an improved divan which is convertible to a single bed.

Another object of the invention is to provide a conver-tible divan in which the back cushions are adapted to serve as part of the sleeping surface.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a convertible divan which eliminates the development of gaps between the cushions in the nighttime mode.

A well known problem in using divans involves separation of the back cushions or holsters from the seat cushions. This separation is usually manifested by the occurrence of .a gap which is suceptible of collecting lint, which may easily develop into a hiding place for lost personal articles and which presents a generally unsightly appearance. Hence, a further object of the invention is to provide a convertible divan which precludes lthe development of a gap between the back cushions and the seat cushion.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a comfortable, `convertible divan ensemble.

Additional objects and features of the invention pertain .to the particular structure and arrangements whereby the above objects are attained The invention, both to its structure and mode of utilization, will be better understood by reference to the following disclosure and drawing forming a part thereof, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a convertible divan ensemble constructed in accordance with the invention and shown in the daytime mode;

FIG. 2 is a perspective View of the convertible divan ensemble of FIG. l shown in the nighttime mode; and

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of a divan structure in accordance with the invention partially in invisible outline, partially cut away and taken through the section 3-3 of FIG. l.

A convertible divan ensemble constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention includes a convertible divan structure 10, a storage unit 12 and a convertible divan structure 14. Divan structure 14 is fabricated to be a mirror image of the divan structure 10.

Divan structure includes a brench or platform 16 which receives a resilient seat cushion member 18 and which defines an end table portion 20. A number of legs 22, appropriately provided with brass tips 24, support platform 16 as by being affixed to depend adjacent to the corners thereof.

The platform 16 has upstanding flanges 26 and 28 suitably fastened to opposite ends for purposes which will become more apparent from the descriptions of the nighttime mode given hereinafter. Additionally, platform 16 has a front flange 30 upstanding across the area exclusively 3,093,411) Patented June l1, 1963 lCe in front of the end table portion 20. Platform 16, legs 22 and the anges 26, 28, and 38 may be fashioned from mahogany or some other wood suitable for furniture purposes.

Turning now to FIGS. 2 and 3, a pair of angularly formed braces 32 are suitably secured, as by bolting, to the platform 16 to extend upwardly parallel engaging a backrest 34 -so as to form a back support 36. Braces 32 may conveniently take the form of steel straps whereas backrest 34 may be fashioned from the same furniture Wood that is used for platform 16 and legs 22.

Backrest 34 is advantageously provided with a lip 38. Between this lip 38 and the upper surface 411 of seat cushion member 18, a pair of removable, resilient back cushion members 42 are wedged. Because of this wedged engagement, the development of gaps is substantially eliminated between the lateral surface 44 of back cushion member 42 .and the upper surface 48 of seat cushion 18. Furthermore, this wedged engagement combines with the resiliency of the cushion members 42 to provide adequate back support without any additional structure.

Cushion member 18 is intended to be positively positioned on platform 16 as by being aflixed thereto by screws or by being confined between ange 26 and a thickened end table portion 20. When end table portion 2t) is thickened for -this purpose, it is advantageous to make back cushion members 42 thinner than seat cushion member 18 by the amount that end table portion Ztl rises above platform 16. Thus, a uniform sleeping surface is provided in the nighttime mode.

Cushion members 18 and -42 may be of any convenient construction. However, a preferred form of the several cushion members includes a resilient pad 46 desirably fashioned from foamed urethane. 'In the case of cushion members 42, the pad 46 may, if desired, be secured to a rigid base 48. In all cases, pad 46 is advantageously covered by a suitable fabric material 50.

Storage unit 12 is comprised of a bedding chamber 52 over which extends a tabletop element 54. Tabletop element 54 is appropriately provided with a swingable portion 56 for providing access to the chamber 52. Storage unit 12 also includes legs 58 which are adapted to match the legs 22 used with the divan structure 10.

Divan structure 14 is fabricated and constructed similarly to divan structure 10 with the exception that divan structure 14 is the mirror image of divan structure 10, as noted hereinabove. Accordingly, like numerals have been used to denote like elements in the divan structures 10 and 14, the suflix a" being used to distinguish the elements of divan structure 14.

For purposes of providing an easy understanding of the invention, it is advantageous to provide at this juncture a functional description of the manner in which the component parts co-operate. In the daytime mode, illustrated in FIG. l, the back cushion members 42, propped up by back support 36, are compressed against the upper surface 4i) of seat cushion member 18 by the lip 38, cushion member 18 resting appropriately on platform 16. Thus is formed a complete comfortable seat for two persons. Additionally, the end table portion 2t) and the tabletop 54 of unit 12 `are conveniently juxtaposed to receive ash trays, magazines, lamps and the like.

Contrariwise, in the nighttime mode, illustrated in FIG. 2, the back cushion members 42 -are arranged transversely on the platform 16 over the end table portion 20 to extend coplanarly with seat cushion member 18 forming a sleeping surface or single bed unit. In the nighttime mode, cushion members 42 and 18 are wedgedly placed together between the flanges 26 and 28. This wedged engagement substantially eliminates the gaps which might otherwise develop between the several cushion members. As will be recognized, such gaps would materially detract from the comfort of the sleeping surface.

It is generally intended that the divan structure y should be arranged with a storage unit 12 and with a divan structure 14 in order to form a furniture group or ensemble. The ensemble may be variously arranged; but a preferred arrangement shows divan structure 10, storage unit 12 and divan structure 14 arranged in a corner grouping as illustrated in the drawing. So arranged, storage unit 12 may serve both divan structure 10 and divan structure 14 while separate and adequate sleeping surface is simultaneously provided for two persons The specific example herein shown and described is illustrative only. Various changes in structure will, no doubt, occur to those skilled in the art; and these changes are to be understood as forming a part of this invention in so far as they fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

The invention is claimed as follows:

1. A convertible divan comprising: a horizontal platform having flanges upstanding at opposite ends thereof and an end table portion disposed between such flanges adjacent one of them; legs depending from said platform adjacent to ,the corners thereof; a seat cushion member located on said platform between said end table portion and the flange non-adjacent thereto; a back support iucluding a plurality of angularly formed braces secured at one and to the underside of said platform, said support further including a horizontal lip-defining member affixed to the other ends of said braces; and a plurality of back cushion members arrangeable longitudinally adjacent to each other in vertically wedged relationship between said seat cushion member and said lip-defining member and alternatively arrangeable transversely on said platform over the end table portion theerof coplanarly with said seat cushion member to be laterally wedgeable between said seat cushion and the llanges upraised from said platform.

2. A convertible divan comprising: a horizontal platform having flanges upstanding at opposite ends thereof and an end table portion disposed between said flanges adjacent one of them, said platform further having an additional flange upraised across the front edge of said end table portions; legs depending from said platform adjacent to the corners thereof; a foamed urethane seat cushion member located on said platform between said end table portion and the flange non-adjacent thereto; a back support including a plurality of angularly formed braces secured at one end to the underside of said platform, said support further including a horizontal lipdenng member aflixed to the other ends of said braces; and a plurality of foamed urethane back cushion members arrangeable longitudinally adjacent to each other in vertically wedged relationship between said seat cushion member and said lip-deiining member and alternatively arrangeable transversely on said platform over the end table portion thereof coplanarly with said seat cushion member to be laterally wedgeable between said seat cushion member and the flanges upraised from said platform.

3. A convertible divan comprising: a substantially horizontal platform having flanges upstanding at opposite ends thereof and having an end table portion disposed between said flanges adjacent one of them; resiliently deformable seat cushion means located on said platform; means defining a generally horizontal lip; structural means rigidly mounting said lip-definning means to said platform in spaced apart, overlying relationship therewith; and resiliently deformable back cushion means adapted to be disposed between said seat cushion means and said lip in generally upstanding attitude, said back cushion means and said seat cushion means being wedged together between said lip and said platform whereby to establish and preserve contact between said cushion means, and said back cushion means being alternatively arrangeable transversely on said platform over the end table portion coplanarly with said seat cushion means to be laterally wedgeable between said seat cushion means and the upstanding flange at .the end of the end table portion.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,360,478 Wajtukiewicz Nov. 30, 1920 1,484,626 Coopersmith Feb. 26, 1924 2,023,605 Mandell Dec. 10, 1935 2,582,555 Miller Ian. 15, 1952 2,602,937 Frey July 15, 1952 2,690,570 Salisbury Oct. 5, 1954 2,700,582 Munsch Jan. 25, 1955 2,703,136 Masse Mar. 1, 1955 2,754,888 Palme July 17, 1956 2,754,890 Rubin July 17, 1956 2,806,228 Ziegenfuss Sept. 17, 1957 2,845,112 Borenstein July 29, 1958 2,886,830 Iaquita May 19, 1959 2,899,691 Davis et al Aug. 18, 1959 2,903,312 Lawless Sept. 8, 1959 2,904,796 Frey Sept. 22, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 525,164 Great Britain Aug. 22, `1940 

1. A CONVERTIBLE DIVAN COMPRISING: A HORIZONTAL PLATFORM HAVING FLANGES UPSTANDING AT OPPOSITE ENDS THEREOF AND AN END TABLE PORTION DISPOSED BETWEEN SUCH FLANGES ADJACENT ONE OF THEM; LEGS DEPENDING FROM SAID PLATFORM ADJACENT TO THE CORNERS THEREOF; A SEAT CUSHION MEMBER LOCATED ON SAID PLATFORM BETWEEN SAID END TABLE PORTION AND THE FLANGE NON-ADJACENT THERETO; A BACK SUPPORT INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF ANGULARLY FORMED BRACES SECURED AT ONE AND TO THE UNDERSIDE OF SAID PLATFORM, SAID SUPPORT FURTHER INCLUDING A HORIZONTAL LIP-DEFINING MEMBER AFFIXED TO THE OTHER ENDS OF SAID BRACES; AND A PLURALITY OF BACK 